While the use of rubber roofing materials have several advantages, it also has its disadvantages. We listed them below for the guidance of homeowners.

Advantages

Price. This is one of the biggest advantages of rubber roofing. The cost of installation is lower compared to other types of roof. Since the product is much lighter than other roofing materials like asphalt and slate shingles, the labor cost for installation is greatly reduced.

Longevity. Rubber roofing is known for their durability and long life span. Most rubber roofs are in the form of rolls that are laid over the roof. Depending on the actual shape and layout of the roof, few seams are found. Seams are where water normally seeps into the house causing damage to the interiors and integrity of the structure.

UV Resistant. Modern rubber roofs are resistant to ultraviolet rays of the sun, ensuring a long-lasting product that could last up to or beyond 50 years.

Durable. Compared to asphalt shingles that have the tendency to crack when exposed to extreme temperatures, strong winds and inadequate ventilation, rubber roofs are durable and resist damage when subjected to the same elements. Rubber roof resists strong winds and hail with a diameter of up to three inches.

Easy to Repair. On the rare occurrence that leaks occur, repairing the damaged rubber is easy and fast. A special tape manufactured to repair rubber is usually enough to restore the roof in prime condition. Sometimes a tube of liquid rubber is used with the same result.

Green. Most rubber roofs are made from recycled materials. The roofing material itself is recyclable after reaching the end of its lifetime. Compared to other roofing materials, the production of rubber roof requires less energy making it one of the greenest roofing materials around.

Fire Resistant. Rubber roofs are fire resistant similar to slate shingles. Unlike the latter, however, prices of rubber roofs are much lower. Starting a fire on a rubber roof is almost impossible. The fire-resistant quality of rubber roof means that you will have time call for help whenever fire occurs in your home.

Disadvantages

Dark Color. Most rubber roofs are black. Black roofs tend to absorb the sun’s heat and add to the temperature of the house or building. However, this can easily be negated by painting a white or light color on the rubber to make it cooler and prolong the life of the material.

Requires Professional Installation. A do-it-yourself person will not be able to lay down the rubber on his roof. Professional and licensed installers are required for the installation of rubber roofs. Finding a qualified installer may be a problem in some areas.

Improper Installation. To protect the house as it was meant to do, rubber roof must be properly installed by a professional. Problems could occur in the future because of incorrect installation, which might also void the warranty.

Vinyl gutters in Houston are becoming increasingly popular among homeowners and installed in more homes today. Similar to other roofing materials, they have their good and bad points. Knowing their pros and cons means being able to make an intelligent decision on whether to use vinyl gutters for your homes. We listed the advantages and disadvantages of vinyl gutters below:

Advantages

1. Durable

Vinyl gutters Houston are made from Polyvinyl Chloride, commonly referred to as PVC. PVC plastic has some outstanding qualities that are not found in other materials, including resistance to corrosion. This feature alone makes vinyl gutters a very good option for wet or rainy areas. PVC does not dent when accidentally hit by hard objects such as a ladder.

2. Easy Installation

Vinyl gutters are lightweight compared to other gutter materials. This makes it easy to install vinyl gutters, which drastically cut down installation time on the part of contractors resulting to reduction of overall costs. Because of the ease of its installation, vinyl gutters are preferred by many do-it-yourself (DIY) enthusiasts. However, if you are not certain about your roofing skills, we recommend hiring a professional to do the installation because gutters have to be correctly hung in order for it to function properly.

3. Reasonable Price

Compared to other gutter materials, vinyl gutters are cheap. A 10-foot section could be bought for $3 to $5, although there are additional expenses for accessories such as couplings, hangers and downspouts. With these added costs, you could be paying $3 to $5 per linear foot. This is still a bargain compared to other materials.

4. Color Consistency

PVC plastics are dyed and not painted. A vinyl gutter will have the same color all throughout its body. If the gutter is scratched or scraped, the damage will not stand out because the exposed area will have the same color as the rest of the gutter.

Disadvantages

1. Brittle

PVC plastics have the tendency to become brittle when regularly exposed to extreme weather conditions. They could crack or split when left outdoors for an extended period of time, particularly when they are exposed to excessive heat and cold.

2. Inferior Products

Cheaper versions of vinyl gutters are available in the market, which are thinner and more brittle than the more expensive ones. They are more susceptible to damage and failure with age. The thicker and better the plastic, the less likely it will break down with time.

3. Non-Appealing

People consider vinyl gutters as having an inexpensive look, and therefore, visually unappealing. If the physical look of gutters is a primary consideration for a homeowner, then vinyl gutters are at a disadvantage because of their non-elegant appeal.